2024 NHL Draft Three-Round Simulation: WHL Edition

A look at where WHL players may go in the first three rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Photo by Paige Bednorz/WHL - 2024 NHL Draft Three-Round Simulation: WHL Edition

The 2024 NHL Draft is officially here with plenty of WHL talent expected to hear their names called over the next two days. Whether in the first round or seventh, prospects from across the WHL have worked hard and are on the verge of experiencing their dream. Using FCHockey's draft builder tool, here is a look at 19 WHLers who might be selected in the first three rounds and which organization they could be going to.

1st Round (8 Players)

6) Cayden Lindstrom- Utah Hockey Club

At sixth overall, the Utah Hockey Club selects Cayden Lindstrom from the Medicine Hat Tigers. Lindstrom joins a strong group of young players, including WHLers Conor Geekie, Justin Kipkie, and Terrell Goldsmith. Already with Logan Cooley and Dylan Gunther on their roster, the addition of Lindstrom makes the Utah Hockey Club one of the deepest U22 organizations in the NHL.

8) Berkly Catton- Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken stay local with their first pick, selecting Spokane Chiefs' forward Berkly Catton eighth overall. Seattle currently has five WHLers in their system, including Jagger Firkus, who was named the CHL Player of the Year for 2023-24. Adding a player of Catton's skill would be a massive addition to the Kraken as they look to continue to build one of the strongest prospects in the league.

12) Tij Iginla- Philadelphia Flyers

With the 12th overall pick, the Philadelphia Flyers add to their prospect pool by adding Tij Iginla of the Kelowna Rockets. Flyers' fans should be excited about potentially adding Iginla as he and Matvei Michkov could develop into one of the most dangerous duos in the NHL. If Daniel Brière can land the dynamic forward, it will go a long way in helping create one of the deeper forward groups in the Eastern Conference.

13) Carter Yakemchuk- Minnesota Wild

One pick later, the Minnesota Wild add Calgary Hitmen defender Carter Yakemchuk at 13th overall. One of the best offensive defensemen available in this year's draft, Yakemchuk can help transform Minnesota's blue line in the future. With Riley Heidt already drafted by the Wild, it is exciting to picture the two working together on the power play at the NHL level.

20) Ryder Ritchie- New York Islanders

At 20th overall, the New York Islanders select Ryder Ritchie of the Prince Albert Raiders. An offensive machine, Ritchie would instantly become one of the Islanders' top and most exciting prospects. Fans on Long Island should be excited about this pick, as Ritchie is a highlight-reel machine who can bring fans out of their seats whenever he has the puck.

22) Andrew Basha- Nashville Predators

At 22, the Nashville Predators increase their WHL presence by drafting Andrew Basha of the Medicine Hat Tigers. Basha would join a group of three other WHLers, including Tanner Molendyk, who was drafted in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft. A playmaking winger who can rack up points, Basha should create plenty of buzz during his first NHL training camp.

28) Charlie Elick- Calgary Flames

With the 28th pick, the Calgary Flames add defenceman Charlie Elick from the Brandon Wheat Kings. Elick hits like a truck and has developed into one of the top shutdown defenders in this year's draft. Joining other WHL prospects in Jaden Lipinski and Samuel Honzek, his size and physicality make him a perfect match for the Flames organization.

32) Terik Parascak-Philadelphia Flyers

To wrap up the first round, the Flyers go back to the WHL, selecting Prince George Cougars forward Terik Parascak 32nd overall. The "Super Rookie," as he is called in Prince George, Parascak has developed into a can't miss prospect after putting up 105 points this season. Having already selected Iginla earlier in the draft, fans in Philadelphia should be excited about adding another dynamic forward in Parascak.